QPR return to action following a three week covid break as they host fellow promotion contenders Bournemouth in a pivotal battle at the top of the table. Prior to their outbreak, QPR had won 4 of their past 6 and currently sit 3rd in the championship form table.
By contrast, Bournemouth have seen their gap over 3rd place diminish without a win since the start of November, and are 23rd in the form table. Their recent form can be attributed to their defensive woes, conceding 10 and failing to keep a clean sheet since that win over Swansea. They will also be without fullback Adam Smith for a 3rd game running against a strong QPR attack, led by creative midfielders Ilias Chair and Christopher Willock, who have combined for 18 goal involvements this season.
Pressure is building on Scott Parker and 3 points are essential for both of these teams here, and I expect an open game similar to the matchup earlier in September when the Cherries scraped a 2-1 win to jump QPR in the table. I have picked out 4 tips for a bet builder, expecting an open game with high powered attacking talent on either side.
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QPR v Bournemouth Bet Builder Tips & Predictions
Ryan Christie to have 1+ Shot on Target
For a fee believed to be around £2.5m, Ryan Christie has struggled to find the goal scoring form off the wing that led Bournemouth to sign him on deadline day from Celtic. That is not to say that his performances have been underwhelming, starting the majority of games on the right of a Bournemouth front 3 that have led a promotion push.
Christie averages over 2 shots a game this season in the league and almost 50% on target (47.1%), failing to record a SOT in just 5 games out of 18 this season. Looking to stretch the field, operating high up the pitch on the right, I expect Christie to exploit a QPR system with wing backs who might lack match sharpness following 3 weeks without a game.
Ilias Chair to have 1+ Shot on Target
Ilias Chair just doesn’t stop getting better and has become one of the first names on the team sheet in this high flying QPR team. Operating in behind the striker Chair has notched up 9 goal contributions this season, only two behind last season’s tally already.
Earlier in the season, Chair had 4 shots against a Bournemouth side who were giving away limited opportunities. A leakier Bournemouth side should gift him far more chances where Chair isn’t afraid to have a pop from 25 yards. Chair is also on set pieces for QPR.
Chair had 2 shots on target in the last QPR game where the R’s were beaten 2-0 by Stoke. Following a three week break, they will be looking to bounce back quickly, orchestrating most of their attacks through the creative Chair to win a battle of the midfield 3’s. I’m taking a Chair SOT to add to the 28 shots and 12 on target in just 10 home appearances this campaign
Dominic Solanke to have 2+ Shots on Target
Dominic Solanke is finally having the breakout season that Bournemouth desired when they picked him up from Liverpool in January 2019. His 16 goals this season already top any previous total in the league as he sits 3rd in the championship top scorer rankings. Solanke only trails Mitrovic in shots, touches in the penalty area and xG, clearly proving he’s a threat inside the box.
Solanke scored in the reverse fixture earlier this season, having 3 shots, 2 on target and a goal with a good finish from a pocket of space between the back 3. I expect Bournemouth to lean on Solanke heavily in this game, looking for their leading scorer to bury their recent form and regain his goal scoring form after two blanks. I’m taking Solanke to have 2+ SOT similar to the game at the Vitality earlier this season.
Away Team Over 1.5 Cards
Both these teams are quite scrappy and not afraid to get stuck in at the cost of a few yellows. 8 yellow cards were dished out between these two last time and in a game where both teams will play at a fast pace looking for 3 points, expect plenty of challenges to stop the counter-attack. Coincidentally, referee Keith Stroud refereed the other game between these two and averages 3.69 yellows in the championship this season.
Bournemouth themselves averages over 2 cards a game this season with 50 yellows and 2 reds. Without workhorse Jefferson Lerma, and Ben Pearson doubtful, Bournemouth may struggle to contain the midfield 3 of QPR led by the fore-mentioned Ilias Chair. Players such as Philip Billing in there are prone to a yellow card (7 this season) and shouldn’t be too far away from Stroud’s book. Saying this, there isn’t a particular matchup appealing to me, therefore I am taking over 1.5 cards for Bournemouth @1/2.
Written by an Andy verified content writer
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QPR v Bournemouth Cheat Sheet
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How to watch QPR v Bournemouth in the Championship
📅 When is QPR v Bournemouth? / Monday, 27th December, 17:30
🏟 Where is QPR v Bournemouth? / Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium (London)
📺 What TV Channel is QPR v Bournemouth? / Sky Sports Main Event & Sky Sports Football
📱 Online Live Streaming for QPR v Bournemouth? / bet365
🟨 …And who is the referee for QPR v Bournemouth? / Kevin Stroud 🏴
